View Full Version : Basement washer drain connection to existing floor drain
loonman
Jan 28, 2009, 04:17 PM
I am on city service. I would like to connect my basement washer drain into the existing floor drain (3" line). I cut the line about 3 feet down from floor trap and installed a 3x2inch y. This existing floor drain takes a 45 turn about 6" down from where I cut it. The 2 inch will drain the washer . I connected a 2' drain pipe, to the y, about 3 feet long for the washer to drain into. Before I connected a 2' cleanout where the pipe would come out of the floor, I tested the system using a hose sending water down the 2" drain. What happens is the water does drain, but it also backs up to the floor drain for some reason. There is a about 1/8 to 1/4" slope on both the 2" and 3" pipe. The floor drain trap does not fill any more than the height of the 2" pipe where the hose is sending water. I'm worried that if the washer were to drain, I would get suds comimg up the floor drain.
Any ideas would help.
Thanks...
tparmech
Jan 28, 2009, 04:30 PM
Does the floor drain have a vent and can you vent the washer drain to the vent. Also is the floor drain trapped and primed?
mygirlsdad77
Jan 28, 2009, 05:03 PM
Can you show us some pictures of your setup? Would really help.
loonman
Jan 29, 2009, 06:46 AM
Initially when I tested the system, the floor drain trap was not full, that's when I noticed
The water from the Y actually going upstream and filling the floor trap.
The 2" line intended for the washer drain is not complete yet, it is only connected to the downsteream 2"Y. The trap and vent are not setup yet.
I was just putting the hose in the end of the 2" pipe where it will eventually come out of the floor into a cleanout then Y to the trap and washer stand pipe and vent.
Do you think the system needs to be completed before doing the actual test?
speedball1
Jan 29, 2009, 07:40 AM
I cut the line about 3 feet down from floor trap and installed a 3x2inch y. This existing floor drain takes a 45 turn about 6" down from where I cut it. The 2 inch will drain the washer . I connected a 2' drain pipe, to the y, about 3 feet long for the washer to drain into. I keep looking for a trap and vent that must be installed but don't find any mention of it. From your description you have built yourself a direct open connection between your home and the city sewer system that allows sewer gas to enter your home. S ewer gas's a health hazard to your family and the methane content's explosive. Either cap the standpipe or trap and vent the washer station. Good luck, Tom
Milo Dolezal
Jan 29, 2009, 08:19 AM
If you hook up sewer the way you described it - you will have suds coming out of the floor drain every time you use washer.
loonman
Jan 29, 2009, 10:36 AM
Thanks you for your comments and confirming my suspisions.
The 2" connection to the drain without a trap is a momentary setup, I block the untrapped connection to prevent odours from comming up. thank you.
Any ideas on the best way to make this connection to avaoid suds? I was thinking of cutting past the existing 3"45 down from where I cut and put in a 3x3 Y; the y would service the floor drain and the other end would service the washer?
thank you
mygirlsdad77
Jan 29, 2009, 05:40 PM
I just can't seem to get a clear pic of this in my mind. Can you please post a pic. Probably an easy sollution to your problem(as far as easy goes).
loonman
Jan 29, 2009, 07:12 PM
i just can't seem to get a clear pic of this in my mind. Can you please post a pic. Probably an easy sollution to your problem(as far as easy goes).
Hi, attached is a drawing of the setup.
There is no trap on the 2" pipe yet, just pouring water staight down 2" pipe.
Thanks...
mygirlsdad77
Jan 30, 2009, 05:37 PM
Drawing didn't show up, please try again. We will try to help, just takes time. Take care,
Lee
loonman
Jan 30, 2009, 07:00 PM
Sorry about that, let's try it again...